The topic I am about to describe is certainly common knowledge to most people. However, I believe it is seldom discussed or written sufficiently to stimulate feedback and interaction between people.
The 20th century has seen more inventions and innovations introduced by Homo sapiens than the rest of humanity combined. It is estimated that the 21st century will again significantly outpace all developments previously made by the human species. And the pace of change and growth is believed to continue its accelerated pace at a phenomenal rate.
This will probably sound discouraging to everyone, since the predominant question will be: how can I cope, adapt and keep pace with the ferocious rate of change that all of us be subjected to, and without much option in the matter? And, we hardly have any choice if we wish to “belong” and remain an active participant in the social structure. Before answering this question, I would like to elaborate my views.
Before the 20th century life was generally considered to be “simple”. Yet everyday living was harsh and quite demanding, both physically and mentally. Tools, equipment and facilitating processes like we have today were not in place either. There was no social support structure in place like we have today, and everyone had to fend for themselves and look after their own needs for survival and not rely on others for support. Family support was probably the only means available, since government aid programs were not established or hardly existed.
The latter part of the 19th century and more particularly the 20th century brought about a phenomenal amount of entrepreneurial, economic, scientific, technological and social changes in a relatively short period of time. Such rapid and ever-changing evolution, while generally improving social standards for many people created psychological strife and coping quite difficult. In the social/economics, the margin or spread between rich and lower social classes greatly widened and continues today, despite noticeable social standard improvements in the lower social classes.
Technology - the buzz word of the late 20th century and 21st century continues to create havoc. People shrug off their frustration by wearing out their fingers on electronic gadgetry, rather than creating social interaction between other homo sapiens. People are becoming more like zombies instead of communicating, interacting and sharing their thoughts with people. And when opportunities arise to communicate with people and engage in activities that could eventually evolve and develop into worthwhile friendship, the social and communicative limitations quickly surface, due mostly to lack of practice and insufficient exposure to human interaction. We have somewhat replaced social interaction with technology. As a sidetrack or footnote example, a basic human trait is laughter, which we can easily create at will and without prompting, yet people pay good money to obtain humour and laughter via movies, plays, books, magazines, on-stage comedians simply to obtain this necessary psychological relief. Is there something noticeably wrong here?
The pace of technological changes is frightening. Simply looking at the quantity of software programs, correction releases, upgrades, new gadgets, improved performance with each version reaching the marketplace within short time intervals, more capacity, more power, more features, more, more and more money to be spent just to keep up, whew!!! Competition to keep the momentum progress going is desirable. However, when competitive pressures, marketing, advertising and promotion serve to mesmerize the mass population in buying more, bigger, better and constantly change since we are part of the technology domino effect, then I do believe we have become slaves of the consumer process. In summary, I cannot think of any other words to describe this merry-go-round and treadmill process as PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION.
The frantic pace of technological changes also affects workers within technological companies. Changes often overlap and inconsistencies galore do prevail. Due to the pace of constant change, processes are not always documented, they are simply inaccurate or incomplete, and often conflict with other policies and procedures already in place. Technicians often apply their own concocted procedures to resolve issues, while other technicians apply different procedures to resolve the same issues. Repeat calls with unresolved issues prevail, and employees label such recurring momentum as “job security”.
Mounting stress contributing in domestic and other social interaction conflicts, consumer addiction and compulsive shopping habits, burnouts, increasing job absenteeism, drug addiction, psychological and pathological effects, jealousy and envy often resulting in harmful situations are some of the more important consequences and effects of the social evolution we are currently subjected to, and will in likelihood continue for the foreseeable future. There are many self-help books, magazines, CDs and even high-profile and well known presenters recommending different approaches to cope with the momentum of social changes which are creating psychological havoc. Are these methods effective, possibly? Do they provide long-lasting and beneficial results to needy participants? Who knows?
Do I have a magic solution to the worsening human stress situation? of course not. However, I do believe that our maturity should prevail at all times, and to begin with, we should seek contentment and happiness within own our inner self, and endeavour to remain outwardly satisfied with our past life achievements and the material possessions that we currently have. A more important attitude and behaviour in our daily lives, we should avoid constant comparison, measurement and always try to outpace and win over others. Yoga and other self-relaxing techniques can also help to restore proper psychic and physical balance in our lives. In concluding this article, I believe that we can learn a lot by applying the philosophy of the Tibetan monks. As an example, reading the meditation processes advocated by Matthieu Ricard, a doctor in cellular genetics, who has been a Tibetan monk for the past 40 years, may serve to provide worthwhile benefits leading towards greater happiness for ourselves and others. Of course there are many other relaxing and self-contentment techniques that can be successfully applied over time that serve to instill self-satisfaction and happiness.
How about replaying or humming this ageless classic song in our minds at the start of every day: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” sung by Bobby McFerrin that was released in September 1988? I believe this a great way to start each day is with an optimistic outlook and disposition for each one of us. Besides, our disposition may even spread and radiate to everyone around us. Isn’t this a great feeling knowing that we can positively influence others? Finally, I say to myself, enough of this never ending complexity treadmill, happiness begins with me, and hopefully I can influence others with my positive attitude and behaviour, then help to change the current depressing trend and work to make this a better world to live in, for this generation and the future ones that will come after us